A 24-year-old man, Gbenga Kalejaiye, has been arrested and charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing from a woman, using charms.

Kalejaiye, a resident of Gowon Estate, was said to have tied charms around his waists when he approached his victim, one Mrs Mary Musa, after which he hit her and she fell, losing consciousness.

The accused stole N125,000 from his victim.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court on Tuesday that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 4 at Oremeji Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.

He said Kalejaiye, who lives at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, is being tried for breach of the peace, stealing and unlawful possession of charms, adding that the accused and others still at large conspired to attack the victim with charms and stole her N125,000 valuables and cash.

Ogu said that a company PNN Nigeria Ltd was owing the complainant N2 million, but when she came for her money, the company sent thugs to attack her.

“The complainant and her husband supplied N2 million worth of diesel to the organisation, but when the complainant’s husband died, the company refused to pay the money.

“Any time the complainant came for the money, the company would give one excuse or the other.”

The prosecutor said on the fateful day the complainant came as usual to collect her money, but the management refused to open the gate for her and she kept knocking.

“She kept knocking the gate and all of a sudden, a vehicle arrived with six thugs ordering her to leave and warned her not to come back to the company.

“When the complainant insisted on collecting her money, the accused and others brought out charms tied around their waists and hit her, and she fell.

“When she regained consciousness, she ran for her dear life and the accused pursed and snatched her bag.

“The accused ransacked her handbag and stole one iPad valued at N80,000 and a cash of N45,000, totalling N125,000.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant saw a team of policemen on patrol and narrated her story and the police rush to the scene.

“When the accused sighted the policemen coming toward them, they rushed back into their vehicle, drove off leaving the accused behind.”

The offences contravened Sections 166, 285, 327 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the accused risks a three-year imprisonment if convicted.

However, the accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs T. Akanni, adjourned the case to Dec. 5 for mention. (NAN)